Greg Vaughn, CEO, Nunnelly
In an interview with Invest:, CEO of general contractor Nunnelly, Greg Vaughn, underscored a focus on trusted partnerships, disciplined growth, and deep roots in San Antonio. “Whether it’s labor, capital, or materials, those resources are finite. Our focus has been on what we do best — identifying and pursuing projects that align with our core strengths,” Vaughn said.
What changes in the market have impacted Nunnelly’s business or client decisions over the past year?
Some of the issues that have influenced our decisions haven’t necessarily changed the nature of our projects dramatically, but they’ve shaped how we approach them. We’ve prioritized working with the healthiest clients and subcontractors.
Over the past 12 to 18 months, the financial landscape has tested the strength of the market and the workforce. That’s pushed us to be more intentional in our partnerships, not just with owners but with the subcontractors we rely on. We want to ensure that we, and everyone we work with, are operating in a stable and healthy way. It’s been a big focus for us: Who are we working with, and how can we lead by example in supporting our broader team?
What is driving demand for your services, and what growth opportunities are you targeting?
Primarily, it’s the growth of the city itself and the attraction San Antonio holds for people across the country. The state has created an environment that generates demand, and people have responded. It’s a great place to live, raise families, and do business. That naturally leads to a lot of economic activity.
With that growth comes the need for significant infrastructure development. We’re seeing a mix of new construction and updates to existing systems. That touches every sector, from municipal and K-12 to higher education, private office, and more.
Even as outside economic factors have created some pauses, the market here remains resilient. Growth hasn’t stopped. It continues to attract people and businesses, which creates a steady stream of projects. For us, it has meant steady expansion in healthcare, education, municipal, industrial, and private development. Those sectors have all remained active, and we’re seeing consistent demand across the board.
How are you addressing labor needs while also investing in long-term workforce development?
Whether it’s labor, capital, or materials, those resources are finite. Our focus has been on what we do best — identifying and pursuing projects that align with our core strengths.
San Antonio is a growing, healthy market. Yes, there are occasional pauses due to elections or other economic shifts, but people want to do business here. That means staying disciplined. We don’t try to do everything. Instead, we’ve built our teams — from management to labor — around the types of work we excel at.
That allows us to apply our resources efficiently and work with confidence, knowing we have the right people in the right places. And by focusing on projects we’re well-suited for, we’re able to deliver better results and maintain strong relationships with our trade partners.
Nunnelly was named Best Place to Work and ASA General Contractor of the Year. What aspects of your culture made that possible?
It’s something we take a lot of pride in. We want to create an environment where people want to come to work and where they know they’ll be supported.
We’re not just looking to give people jobs — we want to give them opportunities to succeed. That means setting them up for long-term growth, giving them meaningful work, and helping them make an impact. When our team members feel fulfilled and are proud of what they’re doing, they serve our clients better and bring a higher level of commitment to the job.
It’s about creating an experience that’s rewarding for everyone, not just our clients, but also the people who make our company what it is.
Are there any regulatory changes you’re monitoring that could impact your operations?
We are keeping a close eye on the education landscape. Changes there — in policy or structure — could affect public school systems, which in turn impact the type of infrastructure needed and how it gets delivered.
That will likely mean some restructuring, new priorities, and shifts in how schools and districts approach their capital needs. Education is not going away — it’s only going to grow — but how that growth unfolds is something we’re watching.
More broadly, we want to remain involved in the legislative process. Our goal is to help ensure a fair, transparent environment for doing business. We want to inform decisions and contribute to maintaining Texas, and especially San Antonio, as a great place to build.
What role does technology play in helping Nunnelly deliver on its mission?
Technology is advancing at a pace that can be difficult to keep up with, but we’re doing our best to stay ahead of it and understand how it can help us.
We’re not just looking at internal tools. We want to understand how technology can improve the overall business process, enhance our relationships, and ultimately lead to a better final product. The goal is to find ways it can create more value for our clients, our trade partners, and our employees.
We’re not trying to use tech for the sake of using tech. It has to improve the experience and deliver better outcomes. If it helps us do that, then it’s worth adopting.
What is your long-term outlook for San Antonio and South-Central Texas?
The outlook is positive. San Antonio and Texas, more broadly, are places where people want to be. The culture, the community, and the values here are strong. People are drawn to that, and it’s going to keep fueling growth.
For us, our role is to continue adding value. If we take care of our clients, our trade partners, and our employees — if we keep focusing on relationships and delivering great results — then the rest will follow.
As this region grows, we want to grow with it, not just in volume, but in the value we bring to every project and every partnership. That’s how we’ll continue to succeed long term.
